Alcohol
True or false: Alcohol is a drug
True: it's legal for adults and is one of the more socially accepted drugs so many people mistakenly do not think of it as a drug
True or false: whether you're 16 or 40, smoking weed a few times a week will have the same impact on you and is pretty harmless.
False: it's more risky and more harmful when you're a teenager because your brain is not fully developed. Regular, chronic use as a teenager can permanently impact your brain development and puts you at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia.
True or false: caffeine is a drug
True - it is a stimulant drug. It's largely harmless when used in moderation, but too much can be harmful to your health. One common problem with consuming excessive amounts of caffeine is increased anxiety.
Who is more likely to develop a substance use disorder: someone with one or more mental health conditions or someone who does not have a mental health condition?
Someone with one or more mental health conditions. There are other risk factors too, and having a mental health condition does not mean a person will definitely have a substance use disorder, it just makes it more likely.
True or false: any use of use heroin or meth is considered addiction.
False (these substances are generally considered some of the most addictive ones and use commonly leads to addiction quickly, but use alone is not the same as addiction)
True or false: alcohol can be a coping mechanism for people struggling with depression or anxiety.
True - it's a way of a coping in the short-term but it's not a healthy way and does not help address the issues in the long term. If you are using alcohol or other drugs to cope and aren't otherwise addressing the issues, the issues are not likely to get any better.
What's the legal status of marijuana in the state of New Jersey?
Legal for adults over the age of 21 to purchase and consume. It is still illegal at the national level and in several states including Pennsylvania.
What's the name of one type of opioid or opiate?
Heroin, fentanyl, vicodin, oxycodone/oxycontin, codeine, morphine
True or false: substance use can lead to mental health issues.
True - chronic substance use can lead to mental health conditions including depression and schizophrenia.
What is one common behavioral addiction? (Something people can become addicted to other than a substance)
Gambling, shopping, shoplifting, video games, social media, etc
If you are drinking, why is it important to never leave your drink unattended?
Risk of drink spiking - when a person adds another drug (or more alcohol) to a drink without the knowledge of the person drinking it. This is a disturbingly common thing that predators do in order to take advantage of others.
What's the connection between cannabis and anxiety?
A) Increases anxiety
B) Decreases anxiety
C) It depends
D) No connection between cannabis and anxiety
C) It depends - on the individual and the variety and amount of cannabis consumed. Some people find that using cannabis can reduce their anxiety, some people find that it makes them much more anxious. Generally speaking, the more you consume in one instance of use, the more likely it is to increase your anxiety.
What are legal opioids used for?
Treating severe pain in situations like after a surgery or in chronic illness with significant pain
How are co-occurring substance use disorders and other mental health conditions treated?
A) SUD is treated first, then the MH condition
B) MH condition first, then the SUD
C) They can be treated at the same time
D) When SUDs and MH conditions both occur, we are unable to treat them
C) They can be treated at the same time
What is the term for when a person needs an increased quantity of a substance to get the same effect?
Tolerance
What can a person do if they are drunk and want to sober up faster?
Nothing - There are limits to how fast the liver can break down alcohol and this process cannot be sped up by anything, including drinking coffee etc.
Why is it risky to use marijuana vapes that don't come from legal dispensaries?
The contents are not tested so you cannot know exactly what they contain. Many have the same contents as lab-tested products from legal dispensaries, but there have been instances of them containing fentanyl and other substances. There is no way to know for sure without it being tested in a lab.
What category of drugs do psilocybin mushrooms (often referred to as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms") fall under?
A) Depressants
B) Hallucinogens
C) Stimulants
D) Opioids
B) Hallucinogens - substances that cause altered perception and feeling. They have powerful mind-altering effects and can change how the brain perceives reality and cause people to hear voices, see things, and feel sensations that do not exist.
True or false: because alcohol is considered a depressant, it often causes depression.
False - alcohol is a CNS depressant, meaning that is slows down brain activity. It's possible for alcohol use to cause depression, but this is not what is meant by the category of "depressant".
True or false: it's impossible for someone who has struggled with addiction to eventually drink in moderation.
False - many people who struggle with substance addiction are not able to use any substances in moderation and find that any use leads to more addiction. For example, some people who have never drank much but struggle with addiction to other drugs find that they cannot even have one drink without going down a path of addiction again. However, in some situations, people can struggle with addiction, have success in treatment, and then go on to use some substances in moderation.
With regard to eating and drinking water, what can help prevent blackouts and alcohol poisoning if you are going to drink alcohol?
Not drinking on an empty stomach (making sure you eat before drinking) and drinking water while drinking alcoholic drinks
What is one thing medical marijuana is sometimes used for?
Why can't we say that vaping nicotine is safer than smoking nicotine/cigarettes?
Vaping is much newer. There has not been enough research to demonstrate that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking.
What is one medication that can be prescribed for mental health conditions that is sometimes used recreationally and can be addictive?
Benzodiazepines including Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin and stimulants including Adderall (amphetamines), Ritalin, and Vyvanse.
What is the difference between dependence and addiction?
Dependence is a physical reaction when someone uses a substance for a long period of time. Addiction is psychological - continuing to use a substance despite negative consequences to health, functioning etc.